The Bears don't expect QB Jay Cutler to be limited Sunday against Carolina despite sustaining bruised ribs on this hit from Lions DT Ndamukong Suh on Monday night. (US Presswire) |
Despite his bruised ribs, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler went through a full practice Thursday after being listed Wednesday with limited participation. The Bears don't expect Cutler to be limited Sunday against Carolina. He has said he'll wear a flak jacket, as he does every game.
The only other players listed on the injury report were WR Alshon Jeffery, who is already listed out with a fractured hand, and new TE Brody Eldridge, who was sick Thursday and missed practice.
A fine mess: Late last year, WR Earl Bennett got a contract extension for $18 million over four years, and he's spending it in a way that benefits the NFL -- even if the league doesn't necessarily like it. Bennett wore orange shoes for the third time in two seasons Monday night and received a $10,500 fine for it, according to ESPN. It's likely teammate Brandon Marshall got hit with the same fine for wearing similar shoes, but he was unavailable for comment Thursday.
Puttin' on the blitz: Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli isn't known for blitzing, but he trotted out back-to-back defensive-back blitzes early against Detroit. The defense has been more aggressive in the last two games. "Sometimes it's per opponent," Marinelli said. "It's just kind of certain things we look for and certain things we may like."
Special choice: Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has a tough decision to make. CB Sherrick McManis is back from a hip injury and has been one of the better special teams players. CB Zack Bowman signed last week and returned to the team, and in his first game had a special teams tackle and a fumble recovery. So who does he play? It's unlikely both would be active since neither plays backup or in the nickel defense.
"They are the same position," Toub said. "That will be tough. We have to decide. There will be a decision made and that is up to Lovie."
Toub said keeping both active would be difficult. "That is six corners (active) if we did that," he said.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.